Tax season is on the way. If you have a bad habit of forgetting to file until April, playing these five games might keep taxes on your mind.
A few games have recently re-entered the news for their very literal inclusion of taxes, including a dating sim released just a few years ago. But long before funny Steam games explored this annual financial chore, video games have had players thinking about tax systems. Let’s take a look at a few video games that get you thinking about taxes, blending entertainment with subtle life lessons. Whether you hate taxes or just find them fascinating, these games make you manage your spending and think about the value of what you own.
Animal Crossing
Tom Nook—if you’ve spent any time as an island resident, his name likely haunts your dreams or delights you. There are no interest rates in the Animal Crossing series, but the weight of paying off those home expansions feels very real. The more ambitious your projects become, the more you’re sinking bells into the cycle of debt and repayment. And while players learn money management, they will quickly find that they’re the only ones investing in the town or island’s growth throughout the game series. If other residents paid their dues, the game might be pretty different.The Sims
Everybody loves building their dream home in The Sims. Fancy pools, extravagant décor, and that one extra bathroom no one actually needs—it’s all part of creating the ultimate setup. But then come the bills. Suddenly, you’re realizing that the price of keeping the lights on in your massive mansion turns your family into digital workhorses. If nothing else, managing a Sim’s life reminds players just how tricky financial responsibility can become!GTA Online
While GTA Online won’t have you thinking about the 2025 tax law changes for estates, it will have you thinking about the financial implications of what you own. Fees from your properties can add up, and players will see charges that increase as they pick up more valuable items. It’s not surprising that players don’t find themselves documenting their annual earnings and moving through tax brackets, but even in a game about crime, compulsory payments are a real thing.Stardew Valley
At first glance, Stardew Valley seems like an escape from the grind, offering cozy farm life and peaceful morning routines. But dig a little deeper, and it’s hard not to notice how managing a farm mirrors the complexities of finances in real life.Owning land comes with its own set of challenges. Crop investments, tool upgrades, and even season-related expenses mean every decision matters. Sure, there’s no tax man breathing down your neck—but the cost of running this idyllic setup indefinitely is enough to make players fret over their digital savings.
EVE Online
Few games are as complex as EVE Online, where space exploration meets economic warfare. With massive corporations handling everything from production to trade, a key mechanic often overlooked by players is the taxation on transactions. Each trade or sale often has a cut siphoned off for your in-game “government,” making every purchase feel just a little more frustrating. Stepping into EVE as a rookie, you might not even notice taxes—until you start seeing how corporations and alliances profit from their percentages.So many games turn to money management as a way to add challenge and realism to their stories, and it works. There’s no denying that the frustration of earning and paying in these games is part of what keeps us coming back. These classic games can all get you thinking about taxes, whether you find yourself dreading the extra costs or wishing others paid in. So, if you’re trying to keep money in mind this tax season, maybe revisit these money-minded games.
